Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-05-26
A GORGEOUS PALACE.
Description of the Charming Mango GAR
dens of the King of siam.

dens of the King of Siam.
The Summer Palace of the King, the
Mango Gardens, is considered the
handsomest place in Siam. The main
building is erected in the style of
FRENCH chateau, and is surrounded
with grounds laid off with great skill
by landscape gardener, paths wing
ing in serpentine sinuosity in every
direction, flowers of all kinds fill the
air with rarest perfume, and to add to
the charms of the place miniature lakes,
dotted over with lotus plants in bios
som, flash their sparkling waters in the
sunshine.
These lakes are fed from the river
that flows in front of the palace, which,
together with the yard, Is inclosed by
wall containing number of hand
some buildings set apart for the various
wives of the King. Through the kind
ness of the gardener in charge | was
shown through the palace, the King
being absent, he not staying there
more than month during the year.
The palace if built of teak and other
costly woods, the walls paneled most
handsomely; the hard wood polished
like a mirror, bringing out the grain;
the ceiling lofty, laid off in handsome
designs and most elaborately gilded
the floors mosaic of various woods,
also highly polished, each room diff
ferent design, while the broad fight
of steps that leads to the second story
the sleeping apartments-is simply
grand, in keeping with the magnifi-
cence of the interior.
The Kings chamber, bathrooms,
etc., were worthy of the abode of roy
atty, and his couch "thing of beau
ty," if not ga joy forever. 1t was made
of rare wood and carved in the most
exquisite designs, draped with rare lace
fringed with gold; gold embroidered
spread covered the bed; the pillows
and holsters were also hemmed with
lace, and above it swung a handsome
punka to keep him cool. 1t seemed
more like work of art to please the
eye than the resting place of one who
courted slumber. surcease of business
and trouble arising from the control
of over 1000, 900 people.
In some of the rooms we noticed
some very handsome furniture and
pictures, costly tables, crystal and
alabaster vases, etc., though the place
was dismantled during the absence Of
royalty. 1t is place that one tired Of
power and the world would retire to fol
a month and live in elysium or Oriental
ease. In the center of several of the
lakes handsome pavilions are erected
where the band discourses music, and
on their ripping surface float barges
ready to bear the wives and children ol
family of the King, when he concludes
to pass his time there.
Scattered throughout the gardens
are cages containing monkeys, birds,
ETC., that add not a little to the pict-
uresqueness of the scene. For over al
hour our party strolled through the
well-kept grounds and gardens, fifty
men being constantly employed in
beautifying and keeping them in or
der. Amid grove of rarest foliage
musical with birds, is handsome
Italian monument, erected to the mem
ory of the late Queen, who wa'
drowned by the sinking of a yacht
erected by the King, and by his specia
direction kept in the neatest order.
As our time was limited we coult
see but portion of the beauties of thil
lovely place. 1t would take a column
to speak at length of the various
palaces that are scattered over tn,
grounds, the Oriental watch and bell
tower that stands like a giant sentine
towering over all, the handsome wat
built like a Gothic cathedral, stained
glass windows, but the shrill whistle o
our steam launch reminds us tina
"tiuie is up" and, with sigh of re
gret, our party left the lovely Mang'
Gardens, its world of flowers, its fra
grant atmosphere and paradisica
beauty-an elysium where one coul,
dream life away, the Nepenthe of tn
poet, where no raven will ever "sit OIL
the pallid bust of Pallas," but eterna
sunshine gilds the velvet curtains AM
casts a glory on the glistening floors.-
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